PERRY, Iowa — Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is considering a 2020 presidential run, laid out a vision for rural America Saturday with a group of progressive farmers and activists.

“One of my goals as being someone who grew up in the metro area … has been to bridge that (urban-rural) divide — to make that case,” Klobuchar said at the Iowa Farmers Union state convention in Perry. “Because I think it’s damaging for our country to have that divide. I think it’s damaging for our heartland economy, and it’s certainly damaging for our spirit as Americans.”

Klobuchar is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and spoke about continued negotiations over the Farm Bill, the Renewable Fuel Standard and the challenges facing farmers today.

But all of it was tinged with a progressive policy focus. In the Farm Bill, Klobuchar said she’s succeeded in pushing for more conservation funding. She spoke about the rural poverty rate for American children and the threat of climate change for corn growers.

Now, she’s become the focus of heightened presidential speculation — in part because she’s viewed as someone who can speak to rural voters at a time when Democrats have struggled to connect in rural America and lost electorally because of it.

Klobuchar acknowledged to reporters that she’s considering a run for president.

“Obviously, people have been talking to me about this, including down here,” she said. “But I don’t have any announcements to make today. … I don’t have a timeline at this point except to be listening to people.”

Many of those in attendance praised her understanding of policy and her easy rapport with the crowd.

Outgoing independent state senator David Johnson, who was elected as a Republican but left the party in protest of President Donald Trump, said he’s been following Klobuchar’s career and would support her in a caucus campaign.

“If Sen. Klobuchar announces for president, there are more than 700,000 Iowa no-party voters I can help organize in her support,” he said.

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